Our current processing plant in Bobo-Dioulasso is bursting at the seams. So we're creating a new, bigger factory in Burkina Faso, along with 1'000 new jobs in the region. This will also enable us to source cashews and mangos from an additional 3'000 family farmers in future.
We are currently on track to begin processing the first batch of cashews in autumn 2024. If all goes according to plan, the new factory will be completely operational in spring 2025. After that, we'll gradually increase our annual mango processing volume from 684 tonnes to 1'500 tonnes. Cashew production capacity will be increased from 300 to 2'000 tonnes.
We are investing in La Belle Usine – or beautiful factory, as the locals call it – in a place where hardly any foreign companies invest capital, creating added value and jobs where they are urgently needed.
See a time-lapse video of the construction work: